Corn Snake "nostrils"?

[eAndrew]

Hi all, I wasn't sure where to post this, so I just stuck it in the safe category. :)

I've always seen little "nostrils" on my corn snakes, at the tip of their "nose". My understanding was that corns (and all snakes) smell with their tongue...(taste?).

I know these are not heat-sensing pits as pit vipers possess...what are they?

Thanks,

Amazingly Curious Andrew

[andys999]

If my memory serves me correctly, (although I could be wrong on this) :rolleyes: but I'm pretty sure that they are, just what they appear to be - nostrils
I think that snakes can smell (no jokes please) using their noses
but that the tongue has refined sense of taste/smell using the jacobsons organ

Andy

[kenalotia]

Yup, they're nostrils. I believe that they use them to breathe, just like we do.
:)

K

[eAndrew]

Nifty. Thanks folks!

[Sheri]

I wondered this too,,,,,,when mine feeds she always seems to really "sniff" the paper towel where the pinkie was laying before
she ate it,,,,,,she really digs her nose in,,,,,,,,I swore she was sniffing it.



Sheri =o)